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Summer Palace

The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan), located in the northwestern outskirts of
Beijing, is the largest and most famous imperial garden in China. The palace
features hundreds of architecturally distinct buildings, halls, pavilions,
pagodas, bridges and corridors dispersed among magnificent and elegant gardens.
It has an area of 290 hectares (717 acres), three quarters of which is water.
The palace has three unique areas: Court Area, Longevity Hill Area and Kunming
Lake Area.

The garden was originally named the Garden of Clear Ripples (Qingyi). It
was a summer resort for the emperors in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). In 1860,
the garden was burnt down by the Anglo-French Allied Forces. In 1866, Empress
Dowager Cixi rebuilt the garden using embezzled funds from the imperial navy and
named it the Summer Palace (Yiheyuan). In 1900, during the Boxer Rebellion, the
Eight-Power Allied Force ransacked the palace. After another reconstruction in
1903, the garden was restored to its original beauty and magnificence. As the
grandest garden in China, it was added to the World Culture Heritage list in
1998.

Court Area

The East Palace Gate (Donggongmen) opens into the Court Area. Inside is a
group of typical courtyard houses connected by porches. The center building is
the Hall of Benevolence and Longevity (Renshoudian) where Emperor Guangxu, the
last emperor of the Qing Dynasty, held court and conducted official business
during his stay at the garden. Now, an exquisitely carved screen, a bronze
dragon and bronze phoenix are on display. To the northwest are three halls: the
Hall of Jade Ripples (Yulantang) where Guangxu lived; the Hall of Virtue and
Harmony (Deheyuan), the biggest theater in the Qing Dynasty; and the Hall of
Joyful Longevity (Leshoutang), a splendid residence of Empress Dowager Cixi. To
the northeast is the Garden of Harmony and Enchantment. This was where the
emperors spent their leisure time fishing.

East Palace Gate (Donggongmen)

The East Palace Gate (Donggongmen) is the main entrance to the Summer
Palace. It has three doors, the one in the center being exclusively for the
emperor and the empress, and the two side doors for nobles and ministers. The
three characters, Yi He Yuan (Summer Palace), on the plaque of the gate, were
written by Emperor Guangxu, the last but one emperor of the Qing Dynasty
(1644-1911). This emperor is said to have worked at calligraphy specially so as
to give a good account of himself in handwriting. The stone carving leading to
the middle door has a design of two dragons, symbol of imperial dignity, playing
with a ball.

In front of the East Palace Gate stands a tall Pailou, an arched gateway in
ancient style. The words on it suggest that enchanting scenery will be revealed
once visitors pass through it. With a history of over 200 years, the Pailou,
decorated with 176 painted golden dragons and 36 golden phoenixes, fully
demonstrates the magnificence of the imperial residence.

Hall of Benevolence and Longevity (Renshougong)

The Hall of Benevolence and Longevity (Renshoudian) was a place where the
emperor temporarily conducted his business. It was originally built in 1750, and
named Qinzhengdian (Hall of Industrious Government), which reminded the emperor
to be diligent in transacting state affairs while relaxing in the garden.
Destroyed by fire in 1860, the hall was rebuilt and given its present name,
Renshoudian. The words, which translate as Benevolence and Longevity, were
taken from the Analects of Confucius, to imply that the emperor who applied a
policy of benevolence would live a long life.

In the hall, a throne, a wall screen, decorative fans made of peacock
feather, incense burners, crane-shaped lights remain laid out as they originally
were. The wall screen is quite exceptional, for it has nine dragons and 226
examples of the Chinese character forLongevity, in different styles.

In front of the hall, there are bronze phoenixes and dragons, with hollow
abdomens. When incense was burnt inside, they would smoke, adding aroma to the
atmosphere during the ongoing court in the hall. In the courtyard, four unusual
stones, dark in color and with holes, represent the four seasons of the year. To
the north of the hall, visitors may observe a well, Yannianjing (Well of
Prolonging Life). Empress Dowager Cixi is said to have recovered from sunstroke
after drinking the water from the well and bestowed on it the name.

The Hall of Benevolence and Longevity (Renshoudian) was a place where the
emperor temporarily conducted his business. It was originally built in 1750, and
named Qinzhengdian (Hall of Industrious Government), which reminded the emperor
to be diligent in transacting state affairs while relaxing in the garden.
Destroyed by fire in 1860, the hall was rebuilt and given its present name,
Renshoudian. The words, which translate as Benevolence and Longevity, were
taken from the Analects of Confucius, to imply that the emperor who applied a
policy of benevolence would live a long life.

In the hall, a throne, a wall screen, decorative fans made of peacock
feather, incense burners, crane-shaped lights remain laid out as they originally
were. The wall screen is quite exceptional, for it has nine dragons and 226
examples of the Chinese character forLongevity, in different styles.

In front of the hall, there are bronze phoenixes and dragons, with hollow
abdomens. When incense was burnt inside, they would smoke, adding aroma to the
atmosphere during the ongoing court in the hall. In the courtyard, four unusual
stones, dark in color and with holes, represent the four seasons of the year. To
the north of the hall, visitors may observe a well, Yannianjing (Well of
Prolonging Life). Empress Dowager Cixi is said to have recovered from sunstroke
after drinking the water from the well and bestowed on it the name.

Hall OF Jade Ripples (Yulantang)

The Hall of Jade Ripple (Yulantang) is a courtyard consisting of a main
hall and two subsidiary halls. It was Emperor Guangxus dwelling on his visits
to the garden. The original halls had back doors which communicated with other
halls or the lakeside.

Emperor Guangxu, a nephew of notorious Empress Dowager Cixi, ascended the
throne at the age of four as a figure-head - It was Cixi who actually exercised
the imperial power. In 1898, Guangxu started a political reform to overturn the
outdated laws. This resulted in a fierce conflict with Cixi, the head of
conservatives. The ill-fated reform lasted only 103 days and was aborted due to
Cixis suppression. After the failure of the 1898 Reform Movement, the hall was
the place where Emperor Guangxu was imprisoned for ten years. Every year, the
Emperor was brought here and confined to this small courtyard until his death
while Cixi enjoyed her retreat in the garden. During that time, additional walls
were built in the halls to prevent Guangxu from escaping and contacting other
people. Even today, walls, the witness of the court coup, can still be seen in
some rooms.

Garden of Virtue and Harmony (Deheyuan)

Construction of the Garden of Virtue and Harmony (Deheyuan) commenced in
1891 and was completed in 1895. It was designed as a theatre for the Empress
Dowager Cixi, and consists of a theater building, and two halls, Yiledian (Hall
of Nurtured Joy) and Qingshantang (Hall of Celebrating Benevolence). It is the
largest of the three famous theaters built in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the
other two being the Changyin Pavilion of the Forbidden City and the Qingyin
Pavilion of the Mountain Resort in Chengde, Hebei Province.

The theatre building, 21 meters (69 feet) high and 17 meters (56 feet)
wide, consists of three storeys with colorful multiple eaves and elegantly
raised corners. With raise catwalks in the ceilings and a winch on the top floor
of the building, performers could seem to come down from the heaven or emerge
out of the earth. Beneath the ground floor, there is a well and ponds which
could spout suddenly to create a water scene. The lighting and sound systems
heighten the whole effect. In the past, when there was thunderous clamor on the
stage, Empress Dowager Cixi would enjoy the play cozily in the Hall of
Cultivated Joy and afterwards rested at the Hall of Celebrating Benevolence.

Now, the garden has been converted into exhibition halls to display the
daily utensils used by the imperial family, including bronze wares, porcelains,
jade articles and other precious objects.

Hall of Joyful Longevity (Leshoutang)

The Hall of Joyful Longevity (Leshoutang) was the occasional residence of
Empress Dowager Cixi in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). This large complex
enjoys a prime position, facing the Kunming Lake, and backing onto the Longevity
Hill. In front of the hall, bronze deer, cranes, and vases are displayed,
signifying peace with their combination of Chinese elements. Planted inside the
yard are magnolias, haitang (Chinese flowering apples tree) and peonies,
symbolizing riches and honor. The exquisite rockery in the courtyard has existed
since the reign of Emperor Qianlong, the fourth emperor of the Qing Dynasty.

The main hall is divided into a living room in the center, bedroom in the
west and dressing room in the east. All the rooms are decorated in an imperial
style, luxurious and delicate. Positioned in the living room are a throne, a
desk, glass screen and fans. Beside the throne are four bronze incense burners
and two large blue and white porcelain bowls. The latter performed a double
function: to hold fruit and to give off perfume.

It is said that the hall was also the first place to be installed with
electric lights in China and Cixi the first person to use electricity. Only then
was its use spread gradually throughout China.

Longevity Hill Area

The Longevity Hill Area faces the Kunming Lake in the south and is backed
by the Rear Lake (Houhu) in the north. In the front hill, grand halls are built
along a north-south axis. The halls are the Hall of Dispelling Clouds
(Paiyundian), Tower of Buddhist Incense (Foxiangge) and the Hall of the Sea of
Wisdom (Zhihuihai). The Hall of Dispelling Clouds, with red pillars and yellow
tiles, is the most splendid building of the whole palace. The grand Tower of
Buddhist Incense, towering 41 meters (134.5 feet), is the symbol of the Summer
Palace. The Hall of the Sea of Wisdom on the top of the Longevity Hill is a
Buddhist hall. The outside of the hall is decorated with glazed tiles. There is
a Suzhou Market Street (Suzhoujie) at the Rear Lake. With waterway passing
through and shops perching on banks, the street looks like the very scene of
Water Country in the south region of the Yangtze River.

Longevity Hill

The Longevity Hill was originally called the Wengshan Hill. It was renamed
by Emperor Qianlong in 1752, during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), when he
constructed the garden. The hill is about 60 meters (196.9 feet) high and houses
many buildings positioned in sequence. The front hill is rich in splendid halls
and pavilions; while the back hill, in sharp contrast, is quiet with natural
beauty.

At the foot of the front hill, an ancient-style archway provides the main
entrance for climbing the hill. On the way up, visitors may see the major
structures neatly ordered along a north-south ascending axis: Gate of Dispelling
Clouds (Paiyunmen), Second Palace Gate (Ergongmen), Hall of Dispelling Clouds
(Paiyundian), Hall of Moral Glory (Dehuidian), Tower of Buddhist Incense
(Foxiangge) and the Hall of the Sea of Wisdom on top of the hill. The most
noteworthy structure of the back of the Longevity Hill is a building complex in
Tibetan lamasery style. It is considered to be a miniature Potala Palace, the
most famous resort of Lhasa in Tibet.

Long corridor

The Long Corridor (Changlang), 728 meters (796 yards) in length, is the
longest of its kind not only in China but also in the world. In 1992, it was put
into the Guinness World Record as the longest corridor of the world. Running
from the Yaoyuemen (Gate of Inviting the Moon) in the east to the Shizhang
Pavilion in the west, the corridor includes 273 sections, all decorated with
paintings. Along the corridor, four elegant octagonal pavilions are interspersed
in order, each of which symbolizes one season of a year.

The corridor is also an exceptional art gallery, featuring more than 14,000
pictures of landscapes, flowers, birds, human figures and stories on its beams
and ceilings. It is an excellent carrier of the Chinese culture, including
traditional art, history and literature. Of special note are the pictures of
human figures depicting stories that give a lively account of long history of
China. As there isnt additional explanation in the pictures, visitors have to
imagine what the picture is about from peoples expression, costumes, acts and
the narrative scenes.

The corridor wanders westward from the Court Area, along the north bank of
the Kunming Lake, at the foot of the Longevity Hill. It is virtually a smart
connecter of the three scenic areas in the Summer Palace, which make it a
primary route for visiting the whole garden, rain or shine.

Hall of Dispelling Clouds (Paiyundian)

The Hall of Dispelling Clouds (Paiyundian) is a splendid structure with red
columns and a roof covered with golden yellow tiles. It is built on a platform
which is framed by white marble balusters and adorned with bronze dragons,
phoenixes and vessels. Inside the hall sits a throne, flanked by a screen,
incense burners and fans. The screen is ancient and elegant with exquisite
enamelwork embedded in a red backing. Also on display are some precious gifts
presented by ministers to Empress Dowager Cixi on her seventieth birthday. The
hall together with the adjoining wing halls has 21 rooms, all of which are
connected by cloisters.

Such a hall of great luxury was used only once a year for a ceremony to
celebrate Cixis birthday. During the ceremony, Cixi sat on the throne inside
the hall while Emperor Guangxu and the other ministers came to show their
respect and honor to her. The hall is located in the middle of the front hill
and the Tower of Buddhist Incense, a symbol of theocracy, lies at its back. The
tower embodies the divine right of the king.

Tower of Buddhist Incense (Foxiangge)

The Tower of Buddhist Incense (Foxiangge) is the symbol of the Summer
Palace and an elaborate work of classical architecture. The three-storied tower,
situated on a hill, is about 40 meters (131 feet) high and has a complicated
structure. It has eight facades and quadruple-layered eaves, and the whole is
supported by eight pillars of lignum vitae wood. It is the center of Summer
Palace, with buildings distributed symmetrically around its base. The Precious
Cloud Pavilion (Baoyunge) to the west of the tower, made out of 207 tons
(456,357 pounds) of bronze, is exquisite and noteworthy.

Visitors can climb the tower for a panoramic view of the area. As an
imperial worshipping tower, it enshrines a Buddha made in the Ming Dynasty
(1368-1644). The elegant and dignified statue, also called Buddha with One
Thousand Hands and Eyes, is five meters (16 feet) tall and has twelve heads and
twenty-four arms. Empress Dowager Cixi burned incense and prayed in the tower on
the first and fifteenth days of every lunar month.

Hall of the Sea of Wisdom (Zhihuihai)

At the top of the Longevity Hill is the Hall of the Sea of Wisdom
(Zhihuihai), whose name recalls the infinite wisdom of the Buddha. No wooden
pillars or girders have been used in the construction of this two-storied hall;
instead, masonry arches provide structural support. Inside the hall is worshiped
Kwan-yin and its outer wall takes on an uncommon scene. The whole wall was
beautifully decorated with colored glazed flakes and there are over one thousand
small Buddha statues in the wall.

In front of the hall there is a Paifang, an ancient Chinese gateway, named
Zhongxiangjie. The Hall of the Sea of Buddhist Incense symbolizes the Buddhist
land while the gateway serves as the door leading to pure land. To get here, one
must plod by steps which were built on purpose to test the pilgrims
religiosity. It is also made up of bricks and stones and is inlayed with color
glaze on its exterior. Due to its structure, the gateway, together with the Hall
of the Sea of Wisdom, is the scarce survivor that escaped from the fire set by
the Anglo-French Allied Forces.

Back Lake (Houhai)

Behind the Longevity Hill, the Kunming Lake narrows significantly, forming
the Back Lake (Houhu). Longevity Hill is covered with many structures and since
it is surrounded by water on three sides, the lake is convenient for
fire-fighting when need arises. On the opposite side of the lake, there is a
stretch of rockeries.

The secluded and quiet lake wanders its way and varies in width, rendering
a great deal of fun and amusement. In the western section, peculiar huge rocks
perched on the banks are a vivid representation of the marvelous scenery of the
Three Gorges of the Yangtze River. The section in the middle of the lake is
characterized by the Suzhou Market Street with shops lining both banks, a unique
scene of the Water Town south of the Yangtze River. This tranquil lake ends at
the Garden of Harmonious Interests which serves as an exquisite epilogue.

Shuzhou Market Street (Shuzhoujie)

The Suzhou Market Street (Suzhoujie), located behind Longevity Hill, is the
middle section of the Back Lake. The Market is great fun, because the lake
serves as the street with the stalls and shops on its banks. It has all the
features of other market streets in Suzhou, a famous Water Town in China. The
ancient-style street, about 300 meters (328 yards) long, transports the tourist
back to the mid-18th century of China.

It was built originally during the reign of Emperor Qianglong to give the
emperor and his empress and concubines the experience of shopping in the Water
Town. At that time, the eunuchs would act as clerks and shopkeepers, lending an
air of realism to the experience. Over sixty old-styled stores, including
restaurants, teahouses, pawn shops, banks, drugstores, clothing shops, dyers and
publishing houses line the banks. The storekeepers, shop assistants, boaters and
policemen on patrol are all dressed in costumes of the Qing Dynasty
(1644-1911).

Garden of Harmonious Interests (Xiequyuan)

The Garden of Harmonious Interests (Xiequyuan) was the place where emperors
and empresses went fishing and took in the scenery. The garden was modeled after
a garden in Southeast China, which indicates that the Summer Palace is a museum
of Chinese gardens. At the center of the garden is a pool with lotus flowers
which are in full bloom during the summer. The pool is accentuated by nearby
pavilions, towers and cloisters. The water warbles over its rocky bed, playing a
harmonious musical chord. The tower appears to be only one storey but actually
has multiple floors. What a wonderful tower!Bridges perch over the pond, and are
a perfect addition to the landscape and blend in with the elegant character of
the site.

During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), Emperor Qianlong, the fourth
successor, conducted his inspection tours to the areas south of the Yangtze
River. On his visits, he was so deeply impressed by a garden at the foot of Mt.
Hui in Jiangsu Province, that he had a garden with the name of Mt. Hui Garden
built in 1751 in the image of the garden at Mt. Hui. In 1881, the garden was
restored and given the name Garden of Harmonious Interests. Burnt down by the
Anglo-French Allied Forces, the garden was reconstructed during the reign of
Emperor Guangxu.

Kunming Lake Area

Along the south bank of the attractive lake, a 728-meter-long corridor
(Changlang) is the longest and most famous corridor in China. It serves as a
link between the Longevity Hill and the Kunming Lake. Around 14,000 impressive
paintings of historical figures, landscapes, birds and flowers adorn this
corridor, making it into a fantastic gallery. There is a Marble Boat at the west
bank. This boat was built in 1755, in the hope that the governance of the Qing
Dynasty would be impregnable under any circumstance. The south part of this
natural lake is modeled after the West Lake in Hangzhou. A western bank divides
the lake into two parts. Six graceful bridges act as connecters of the entire
western bank, among which the Jade Belt Bridge is a favorite of the Emperor
Qianlong and Empress Dowager Cixi. The spectacular Seventeen-Arch Bridge
(Shiqikong Qiao) connects the eastern bank and Nanhu Island. The bridge is 150
meters (492 feet) long and eight meters (twenty-six feet) wide. 564 stone lions
with different expressions and gestures on the balusters are strikingly
life-like.

Bronze Ox

On the east bank of Kunming Lake, east of Seventeen-Arch Bridge, visitors
may see a bronze ox. This bronze ox was made in 1755 during the reign of Emperor
Qianlong, the fourth emperor of the Qing Dynasty (1368-1644). It is of the same
size and vividness as a real one, which reflects the extraordinary craftsmanship
of the foundry. The ox is nestled on a bluestone base carved with waves, and
looks into the landscape with his head raised and his eyes shining. The
inscription engraved in his back was written by Emperor Qianlong and has not
deteriorated at all despite its age. The inscription is comprised of eighty
characters, explaining the story of this bronze ox. Emperor Qianlong placed it
at the bank of the lake in hope that it can restrain a potential flood brought
by the Kunming Lake and bring infinite blessing to both the garden and the
nearby dwellers.

Seventeen-arch Bridge

The Seventeen-Arch Bridge is the only connection to the Nanhu Island. It
was built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
No matter how you look at the great bridge, it is beautiful, like a rainbow or
an ornamental ribbon. The Summer Palace does, indeed, offer many scenic spots.
The Seventeen-Arch Bridge is an imitation of the celebrated Marco Polo Bridge
(Lugou Bridge) in Fengtai District, Beijing.

As the name suggests, it has seventeen symmetrical arches, with the largest
one in the center and the others diminishing in size on either side. The arch
and its reflection in water are an awesome sight. The bridge is 150 meters (164
yards) long and 7 meters (23 feet) high, which gets corresponds with the
grandeur of the imperial garden. The bridge is decorated with 544 delicately
carved lions. This vivid lions, sitting on the white marble balusters, have
different expressions and postures.

Nanhu Island

The Nanhu Island with an area of over one hectare (2.5 acres) is the
largest one among the three islands in the Kunming Lake. The island situated in
the southeast of the lake, is connected with the east bank by the Seventeen-Arch
Bridge. The whole island is edged by laid huge stones and enclosed with carved
stone fence. Seen from the distance, the island together with the Seventeen-Arch
Bridge looks like a tortoise stretching his neck. As tortoise is a symbol of
longevity in Chinese culture, the similarity in shape justly satisfied Emperor
Qianlong, who built this garden in the name of celebrating his mothers sixtieth
birthday.

The main structures on the island are the Hanxu Hall and the Dragon King
Temple. The pavilion-style Hanxu Hall is the shelter where Empress Dowager Cixi
inspected the navy drill. The Dragon King Temple is said to have been built on
the bank in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Its surrounding land was deliberately
retained when the lake was excavated and enlarged afterwards, thus the isolated
island emerged. In ancient times, Dragon King was deemed as a mythical divine
master of the rain. Every time Cixi came to the Summer Palace by waterway, she
made a stop-over for the set purpose of worshiping at the temple.

Marble Boat

At the west end of the Long Corridor, visitors may easily find a boat,
named Marble Boat (Shifang). This two-storied boat was originally built in 1755
in Chinese style during the reign of Emperor Qianlong, but its superstructure
was burnt out by the Anglo-French Allied Forces. In 1893, Empress Dowager Cixi
had it rebuilt in an imitation of western-style yachts. The boat is not entirely
made of marble, but has some wood subassemblies. The wood, however, gussies up
marble texture perfectly, which makes it harmonious with the main marble
body.

This luxurious boat has its historical origin with Wei Zheng, a famous
faithful minister of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), who told the emperor, The
waters that bear the boat is the same that swallow it up. In the words, he
compared the relationship between the emperor and his people as that between a
boat and waters. In this way, he suggested that the emperor love his people,
otherwise, the exasperated people would overthrow the emperors reign. Emperor
Qianlong had the firm boat made of stone, hoping that the reign of the Qing
Dynasty would never be toppled.